In Memoriam

Harry Day ’30

Harry Day ’30, an early researcher into the use of fluoride in toothpaste, died at the age
of 100 on Sept. 8, 2007, in Bloomington, Ind.

Day was a prominent researcher in nutrition at Johns Hopkins and Indiana University,
where he served as chairman of the chemistry department from 1952–62. While at Indiana,
Day was involved in research into the effects of fluorides in the reduction of cavities and
tooth decay, resulting in the first fluoride toothpaste, Crest.

He is survived by two daughters and a son, four grandchildren, and 11 greatgrandchildren.

Ashley Foard ’32

Ashley Foard ’32, who drafted, developed, and worked with legislators on major federal
housing and urban development legislation for 37 years, died Nov. 28, 2007, in Nampa,
Idaho. He was 97.

He was instrumental in planning and writing President John F. Kennedy’s Executive
Order 11063, which ended racial discrimination in federal housing programs and led
directly to the end of legal segregation in housing. Foard’s work included drafting the annual
legislation proposed by the National Housing Agency, the Housing and Home Finance
Agency, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For his work, Foard received numerous awards and citations, including the 1969
Rockefeller Distinguished Public Service Award for important federal housing legislation after
the end of World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanore; a daughter; a son; four stepsons; three
grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Robert Swenson ’39

Robert Swenson ’39, the founding president of Cabrillo College, died Dec. 31, 2007, at
the age of 89, in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Swenson was a naval officer in World War II before moving to Santa Cruz County,
Calif., with his doctorate in education from Stanford and a dream to start a community
college. From 1959 until 1977, Swenson served as the founding president of Cabrillo College,
helping to shape it into one of the top community colleges in California. He later became the
executive director of the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, an accrediting body for
community colleges.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; six children; 12 grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren;
and a sister.

Francis Alan DuVal

Professor emeritus of German Francis Alan DuVal, 91, of Mount Vernon, Iowa,
died March 24 from complications of pneumonia. A full obituary is available online , along with a blog created to allow his former students and
colleagues to share their memories. The summer Cornell Report will carry a full obit.

Dr. Carl Wheeless ’41

Dr. Carl Wheeless ’41, a highly reputed educator who taught many of Pakistan’s leaders
as a professor of political science, died Oct. 19, 2007, in Lakeland, Fla. He was 88.

Wheeless was a former head and professor of political science at Forman Christian
College in Lahore, Pakistan, where his students included Pakistani President General Pervez
Musharraf, Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, and numerous
other leaders in the Pakistani government. Wheeless was recognized for these contributions to
Pakistan in a 2004 reception held in his honor.

A life-long educator, Wheeless wrote several books, including works on American and
Pakistani presidents, and a book on missionary service. In addition to Forman Christian,
Wheeless also taught history, political science, and geography at High Point University, and has
delivered lectures on international affairs all over the world. He served as a missionary for the
United Methodist Church in Pakistan, and also spent several years as a foreign affairs specialist
for the Department of State and as an intelligence specialist with the Department of Defense.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; two daughters; one son; and six grandchildren;
sister Elaine Wheeless Schnittjer ’37; cousin Jean Midkiff Guthrie ’34; and cousin-in-law
Florence Barton Midkiff ’34. He was preceded in death by cousin Carl Midkiff ’33 and
cousin-in-law W. Lain Guthrie ’34.

Charles Youngker ’42

Life trustee Charles Youngker ’42, who joined with his family in funding Tarr Hall and
Youngker Hall, died Jan. 7, 2008, in Buckeye, Ariz. He was 87.

Youngker started in agriculture as a laborer, working alongside his father and brother,
Ben Youngker ’43, to turn desert into productive farm land. At their height, the Youngkers
farmed 18,000 acres in Arizona, and Charles served as the president and subsequent board
chairman of the National Cotton Council, as well as on numerous industry and community
groups. He received Cornell’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 1969.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Bolton Youngker ’43; stepmother, Martha; one son; one
daughter; four adult children by marriage; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Among
those preceding him in death were his brother, and first wife Madelyn Rydeen Youngker ’41.

Richard “Duke” Dershimer ’49

Dershimer held an M.A. from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from Harvard
University and was a life-long advocate for education. During his 10 years as the executive
officer for the American Education Research Association, Dershimer transformed the AERA
from a small branch of the National Education Association into an organization that took
a leading role in promoting the use of educational research for designing federal education
policy. His book, The Federal Government and Educational R & D addressed these concerns.

Later in life, Dershimer dedicated himself to hospice care, and, in turn, developed a
program to prepare medical professionals and lay volunteers to work with hospice patients,
while serving as president of the New York State Hospice Association. His book, Counseling
the Bereaved, provided advice to grief counselors based on his philosophy that hospice care
should be dedicated to the enhancement of life.

Throughout his life he remained an active string bass performer in jazz and big band
groups, as well as symphony orchestras. He is survived by his wife, Greta; two sons; three stepsons;
two step-daughters; and seven grandchildren.